The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-08-18
Microscopical wonders.

"Suppose we look at fy's tongue@
'tAll right" said I. "Flies have been
investigating me for long time. and
nothing would give me more pleasure
than to see a fly's tongue transfxed,
and to investigate it calmly under a
microscope"
Accordingly, Mr.. Hopkins placed the
subject in position, and, turning the
table, brought my eye to bear upon
the object. The fy's tongue is GER
tainly complicated piece of mechan-
ism. No description would do it
justice; it must be seen to be appre-
ciated.
The next subject was a section of
horsefy, showing the complete kit of
tools with which lac pursues his investi-
cations into the flesh of horses. There
was a fine saw, with teeth plainly
visible, a piercer for Irritating the
wound, which caused the blood to flow,
and all arranged for use. Then we
looked at the saw-fy, which frequents
rose and gooseberry bushes, and saws
places in the twigs and deposits its
eggs. The singing apparatus of the
ordinary honey bee next claimed our
attention. Having had some expert
ence with the bees business department
congratulated myself that the mystery
of its operation was about to be un-
vailed. The sight confirmed me in my
purpose previously formed for giving
bee-hives wide birth in the future.
A bees stinger looks formidable under
the microscope. Teeth project from
the side like sword-ish, and attached
to it is the poison bag which contains
the article which, when inserted into a
mans hand by an enterprising bee,
makes him wish that he. had never
been born.
You will see." said Mr.. Hopkins,
".that by increasing the power Of the
microscope the formation of parts of
the various objects examined is clearly
shown, and the moreselosely they are
examined the more complete they
appear. There are no botched jobs in
nature"
DO your Investigations" | asked,
''lead to the conclusion that all
these complete and beautiful things
were evolved from an Incomplete
germ?"
''Mr. Hopkins replied very emphati-
cally, mo, sir; they do not l take no
stock in the modern conclusion on that
point"
The hornet was next investigated. 1t
has been said that he differs from the
flea in this respect, that when you put
your finger on him you know he is there.
Much as we dislike to meet the hornet
and be interviewed by him, especially
when seated ON the grass eating loaf
cake at picnic. he appears re-
markably we'll under microscope
Mr.. Hopkins called my attention to
| this interesting fact. On the edge of
the hornets wings are series of
hooks, which, at atcertain times, are used
to hook the wings together, but no one
has yet succeeded in hooking or un-
hooking the wings of the captured in
sect. Tie hooks were plainly seen
| through the instrument. A bees foot
and fringed paddle of the water
beetle closed our Investigations among
the insect tribe. A section of the leaf
of the eutcher plant was next shown.
1t was covered with little stars perfect
~ formed. These stars are composed
of slick, and if the leaf is burned the
stars are not consumed.
Diatoms are subject for special
study. They are vegetable plants
| comprising innumerable varieties,
which can only be seen and classified
by the aid of the microscope. Diatoms
have been seen upon which 125, ZOO
traverse lines have been shown by the
aid of the most powerful microscopes.
Poiarized lights another department
Of microscopical study. The polarizer
is attached to the microscope, and b;
| its means the most beautiful forms and
colors are seen. There are an infinite
| number of available subjects in this
realm. Chemical crystals, mineral
sections, nickel prisms and objects
from vegetable life ail show a vast
variety of colors and forms.